Nova PP – Pilot projects

Does
NoMix work in real life?Pilot projects involving NoMix toilets are challenging,
since these lavatories do not (yet) function as smoothly as conventional models.
However, to permit further development, they need to be tested in practice. In Switzerland,
four pilot projects were carried out in apartments and public buildings. It was
concluded that while it is certainly possible to introduce NoMix toilets, close
monitoring of the process is required. In addition, projects in private households
are more problematic than in public settings. The experience gained is of great
importance both for the development of the technology and for practical
purposes.

Background

Every innovation
has to stand the test of real-life conditions, and technologies can only be
refined with the aid of practical projects. NoMix pilot projects are
particularly challenging, as the toilets have to be tested by users in their
bathrooms before the standards of conventional lavatories have been attained ([1];
see also "Practical guide").

Large sanitary
technology companies are reluctant to invest in NoMix toilets while the market
is still limited ([2]; Nova 2). However, a sizeable market will only arise if
large-scale demonstration projects can be carried out, which in turn pose
difficulties owing to the deficiencies of NoMix toilets – a catch‑22 situation.
The only option is to conduct pilot projects – as best one can – using today's
technology [1]. We thank all those who participated in pilot projects for their
courage in supporting the NoMix venture. Novaquatis learnt a lot from this
experience.

Pilot
project I: Private apartments

(Coordination: Judit Lienert)

In 2001,
four apartments in an urban housing development were fitted with NoMix toilets by
Roediger (www.roevac.com), including a tank in the basement, on the initiative
of a developer motivated by environmental concerns. The project received
financial support from the federal, cantonal and municipal authorities, while
scientific management was provided by Novaquatis. The aim was to study the
attitudes of domestic users to NoMix toilets (Nova 1) and their functioning
under real‑life conditions (see "Practical guide"). In addition, data were
collected on urine volumes (Nova 3). Initially, communication with the tenants
proved to be difficult, but the situation improved when a single person within Novaquatis
was responsible for all contacts. In 2003, defective ceramics meant that two
toilets had to be replaced – by conventional toilets, at the tenants' request: one
child had had problems using the NoMix toilet, and the other household was
generally sceptical.

Connection to the
future: A
plumber installs a NoMix toilet in an apartment (Photo Timur Bürki)

The NoMix toilets met with the approval of the other two
households. However, in 2005 these also had to be replaced, as a result of defective
ceramics and a malfunctioning urine outlet. As this was the only pilot project
involving domestic users, the experience gained is extremely valuable for
Novaquatis and the sanitary industry (Nova 2). Our feedback to Roediger was
used to make improvements, e.g. to the ceramics.

Pilot
project II: Eawag office building

(Coordination: Judit Lienert)

At
Eawag, the first NoMix toilet (www.wost-man-ecology.se) was installed in 1997 and
then removed in 2003 following blockages. In 2000, another two NoMix toilets
(www.dubbletten.nu) and three waterfree urinals connected to a tank were installed
close to the cafeteria and auditorium. The urine and the installations were
used for research purposes (Nova 2 to Nova 5). Social scientific studies
revealed that the NoMix toilets were widely accepted (Nova 1). However, many
Eawag staff in particular noted that the technology is not yet fully mature. Visitors
tended to be less critical. It was essential for the sanitary installations to
be well maintained; otherwise, complaints were – legitimately – quickly raised.
The new Eawag office building (www.forumchriesbach.eawag.ch), which was opened
in 2006, is fitted with the NoMix technology throughout. It can thus be tested
on a large scale even after the completion of the Novaquatis project.

Pointing the way to
NoMix: A
familiar symbol leading to an as yet unfamiliar innovation at Eawag (Photo
Yvonne Lehnhard)

Pilot
project III: Vocational college

(Claude Lüscher, Maximilian Mayer)

From 2002 to 2004,
the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland(FHNW) operated three
NoMix toilets and six waterless urinals in a vocational college [3]. The main
objective was to test various models and to gain experience. Users’ attitudes
were favourable. In surveys, many respondents indicated that they were prepared
to adapt their behaviour when using the NoMix toilet – e.g. by sitting to
urinate (Nova 1). The functioning of the NoMix toilets and urinals was
generally satisfactory. Certain urinals gave off an unpleasant odour, especially
when they were not cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;
thus, proper maintenance is essential. Low concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus
were measured in the tank – presumably because the urine was diluted with
flushing water. The experience gained was very valuable when it came to designing
the tank and pipes for the larger-scale pilot project IV.

Pilot
project IV: Basel-Landschaft cantonal library in Liestal

(Coordination: Gerhard Koch)

The first Swiss pilot
project involving full implementation of the NoMix technology was launched by
the utilities agency of Canton Basel-Landschaft (AIB) at the cantonal library which opened in 2005 ([4];
www.kbbl.ch). The goal is to evaluate alternatives for urban wastewater
management and to test the NoMix technology. This is one of the first projects
worldwide to use modern urine treatment technology on a pilot-plant scale. Urine
from approximately 200'000 visitors per year is stored in a tank and transported
by tanker to a treatment plant, which receives financial support from the Swiss
Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) Novatlantis project (www.novatlantis.ch).
Following laboratory tests at Eawag (Nova 4), a combination of electrodialysis
and ozonation was selected as the treatment process [5]. This should permit the
production of a stable, hygienized fertilizer, free of micropollutants. The
product was granted provisional approval (see "Practical guide"), and it was
field-tested in 2006 (Nova 6). A research institute was commissioned by Novaquatis
to study user attitudes towards the NoMix toilets. The findings among the
general public were as positive as those obtained in earlier surveys (Nova 1).

The pioneer: The BL cantonal library is the first building in
Switzerland to fully implement the NoMix technology (Photo Steffen Zuleeg)

Conclusions

To
facilitate development of the NoMix technology, further pilot projects are
required. These are complicated, costly – and risky, since any innovation can be
torpedoed by adverse experience. In the longer term, therefore, improved NoMix
toilets will be needed (Nova 2).

In public
buildings, pilot projects can be readily implemented using today’s NoMix
toilets if the increased maintenance efforts are undertaken by staff. The public
is prepared to use hygienic NoMix facilities (Nova 1). In private homes,
however, restraint should be exercised; people are not always keen to live with
the disadvantages of NoMix toilets in their own bathroom. Pilot projects in
households are possible if the residents know what to expect. Ideally, these
should be accompanied by social scientific studies to assess the many
unresolved research questions [1].

A clearly defined
goal and early involvement of all parties will contribute to the success of NoMix
pilot projects ([1]; "Practical guide"). This innovation has far-reaching implications
for urban wastewater management. NoMix pilot projects should therefore be
supported by wastewater authorities and other policymakers at all levels, as
well as by private investors. We hope that the experience gained from Novaquatis
will encourage other actors to adopt the NoMix technology in spite of the
obstacles encountered.